Some fine morning he will return to take command of your vessel." "Come when he will, it shall be kept for him.

But how is it he is not already returned?
It seems to me the first care of government should be to set at liberty those who have suffered for their adherence to it." "Do not be too hasty, M.Morrel," replied Villefort.

"The order of imprisonment came from high authority, and the order for his liberation must proceed from the same source; and, as Napoleon has scarcely been reinstated a fortnight, the letters have not yet been forwarded." "But," said Morrel, "is there no way of expediting all these formalities--of releasing him from arrest ?" "There has been no arrest." "How ?" "It is sometimes essential to government to cause a man's disappearance without leaving any traces, so that no written forms or documents may defeat their wishes." "It might be so under the Bourbons, but at present"-- "It has always been so, my dear Morrel, since the reign of Louis XIV.
The emperor is more strict in prison discipline than even Louis himself, and the number of prisoners whose names are not on the register is incalculable." Had Morrel even any suspicions, so much kindness would have dispelled them.
"Well, M.de Villefort, how would you advise me to act ?" asked he.
"Petition the minister." "Oh, I know what that is; the minister receives two hundred petitions every day, and does not read three." "That is true; but he will read a petition countersigned and presented by me." "And will you undertake to deliver it ?" "With the greatest pleasure.

Dantes was then guilty, and now he is innocent, and it is as much my duty to free him as it was to condemn him." Villefort thus forestalled any danger of an inquiry, which, however improbable it might be, if it did take place would leave him defenceless.
"But how shall I address the minister ?" "Sit down there," said Villefort, giving up his place to Morrel, "and write what I dictate." "Will you be so good ?" "Certainly.

But lose no time; we have lost too much already." "That is true.